Camera module

ABSTRACT

The present embodiment relates to a camera module comprising a front body, a lens, a rear body, a first substrate, an image sensor, a second substrate, a connector and a cover, wherein the cover includes a bottom plate having a hole in which the connector is to be disposed, side plates extending from the bottom plate, and pressing unit disposed at the bottom plate and elastically supporting the connector, the connector includes a first surface facing the inner surface of the bottom plate of the cover, and a second surface extending from the first surface and disposed in the hole, and the pressing unit includes a first pressing part for pressing the first surface of the connector, and a second pressing part for pressing the second surface of the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. National Stage Application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT Application No. PCT/KR2018/007568, filed Jul. 4, 2018, whichclaims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos. 10-2017-0084701,10-2017-0084702, 10-2017-0084703 and 10-2017-0084704, all of which werefiled Jul. 4, 2017, whose entire disclosures are hereby incorporated byreference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The teachings in accordance with exemplary and non-limiting embodimentsof this invention relate generally to a camera module.

BACKGROUND ART

This section provides background information related to the presentinvention, which is not necessarily prior art.

The camera module capturing a subject in a photograph or an image may bemounted on various devices and pieces of equipment. Inter alia, vehiclesmounted with camera modules have been marketed. The camera module may beused on a vehicle as front and rear monitoring cameras, black boxes andthe like.

Meantime, a structure is required to mount a camera module when thecamera module is to be mounted on a vehicle. Furthermore, a solid strongsealing is required in case of assembling parts to thereby preventforeign objects from being introduced into the camera module, because apart of the camera module is exposed outside of the vehicle when mountedon a vehicle.

Furthermore, a camera module mounted on a vehicle is disposed thereinwith a plurality of substrates, where a structure is also required tofix the plurality of substrates inside the camera module while beingdiscretely disposed. In addition, when a camera module is mounted on avehicle, a structure is further required to fix a connector extendedfrom a substrate and shielding electromagnetic waves generated frominside the camera module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Subject

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is to provide a cameramodule including a coupling structure (bracket) in order to mount acamera module on a vehicle.

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is also to provide acamera module coupled to a vehicle in a solid sealing structure.

The exemplary embodiment of the present invention is further to providea camera module including a structure supporting a plurality ofsubstrates in a discrete state.

In addition, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention is toprovide a camera module including a cover fixing a connector extendedfrom a substrate and shielding electromagnetic waves generated frominside of the camera module.

Technical Solution

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body; a lens disposed on the front body; a rear body coupled tothe front body; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body and the rear body; an image sensor disposed on the firstsubstrate; a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate inthe inner space and electrically connected to the first substrate; and abracket coupled to an outer surface of the rear body, wherein the outersurface of the rear body includes a first surface disposed at anopposite side of the front body, and a second surface connecting thefirst surface and the front body, and wherein the rear body includes aprotrusion disposed on the second surface, and wherein the bracketincludes a bottom part facing the first surface of the rear body, apressing part disposed on the floor part to press a first surface of therear body, a side part disposed on a second surface of the rear body,and a hook disposed on the side part to be hitched by the protrusion.

The pressing part may include a first pressing part disposed to a firstdirection and a second pressing part disposed to a second directiondifferent from the first direction.

The first direction may be perpendicular to the second direction.

The protrusion may include first and second protrusion each spaced aparton the second surface of the rear body, and the hook may include a firsthook hitched by the first protrusion and a second hook hitched by thesecond protrusion, and the rear body may further include a rib disposedbetween the first hook and the second hook, and a width of the rib maycorrespond to a discrete distance between the first hook and the secondhook.

An outer surface of rear body may further include a third surfacedisposed opposite to the second surface, the protrusion may include afirst protrusion disposed on a second surface of rear body and a secondprotrusion disposed on a third surface of the rear body, and the hookmay include a first hook hitched by the first protrusion and a secondhook hitched by the second protrusion.

An outer surface of the rear surface may include a fourth surface and afifth surface disposed between and opposite to the second surface andthe third surface, and the side part of the bracket may include acoupling part respectively disposed on the fourth surface and the fifthsurface and including a hole.

The protrusion may include a sixth surface hitched by the hook and aseventh surface connecting the sixth surface and the second surface ofthe rear body, and the seventh surface may slantly connect the sixthsurface of protrusion and the second surface of the rear body.

The pressing part may include a first extension part integrally formedwith the bottom part, and extended from the bottom part toward a firstsurface of the rear body, and a contact part extended from the firstextension part to contact a first surface of the rear body, and a secondextension part extended from the contact part toward a directiondistancing from the first surface of the rear body.

The camera module may further comprise a connector extended from thesecond substrate to pass through the rear body, and the bottom part ofthe bracket may include a hole passed through by the connector.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body assembly including a lens; a rear body coupled to the frontbody assembly; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body assembly and the rear body assembly; a second substratedisposed in the inner space by being spaced apart from the firstsubstrate and electrically connected to the first substrate; and abracket coupled to an outside of the rear body, wherein the rear bodymay include a first protrusion and a second protrusion disposed at anouter side surface of rear body, each disposed at an opposite side, andthe bracket may include a bottom part facing a rear surface of rearbody, a pressing part disposed on the bottom part to press a rearsurface of the rear body toward a front side, and a hook extended fromthe bottom part to be respectively hitched by the first protrusion andthe second protrusion.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body; a barrel disposed on the front body; a lens disposed on thebarrel; a rear body coupled to the front body; a substrate disposed atan inner space between the front body and the rear body; and an imagesensor disposed on the substrate, wherein the front body may include afirst surface facing the rear body, and a first protrusion and a secondprotrusion protruded from the first surface and mutually spaced apartfrom the other, and wherein the first protrusion may be disposed at aninside of the second protrusion to allow being nearer to an optical axisthan the second protrusion, and the first protrusion may be coupled withthe substrate, and the second protrusion may be coupled with the rearbody, and the front body may further include a plurality of ribsconnecting the first protrusion and the second protrusion between thefirst protrusion and the second protrusion, where each of the pluralityof ribs is spaced apart.

The second protrusion may include a bottom part spaced apart from anouter circumference of the first surface of the front body, and the rearbody may include a bottom part spaced apart from the front body, and aside part extended from the bottom part toward the front body, whereinthe side part of the rear body may include a second surface facing thefront body, a second protrusion protruded from the second surface, athird protrusion protrused from the second surface and disposed at aposition corresponding to that between the second protrusion and theouter circumference of the first surface at the front body, and a fourthprotrusion slantly connecting an inner surface of the third protrusionand the second surface, and the front body and the rear body may becoupled by allowing the second protrusion and the fourth protrusion tobe fused.

The second protrusion of the front body and the fourth protrusion of therear body may be integrated by ultrasonic fusion.

A distance between a distal end of the first protrusion and the firstsurface may be longer than a distance between a distal end of the secondprotrusion and the first surface, the rib may be extended from the firstsurface of front body, the rib may include a slant surface so slanted asto allow a distance at the first protrusion between a distal end of therib and the first surface is formed to be longer than a distance at thesecond protrusion between a distal end of the rib and the first surface.

The substrate may include a third surface facing the front body, and adistal surface of the first protrusion may be fixed to the third surfaceof the substrate by an adhesive.

Size of an outer circumference at the first protrusion may be smallerthan size of an outer circumference of the third surface at thesubstrate.

The rear body may include a groove disposed at an outer circumference ofthe third protrusion and extended to a distal end of the thirdprotrusion.

The lens, the barrel and the front body may be integrally formed.

Each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be extendedfrom the first surface so as to allow a cross-section to form a singleclosed curve shape.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body; a barrel disposed on the front body; a front body assemblyincluding a lens disposed on the barrel; a rear body coupled with thefront body assembly; a substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body assembly and the rear body; and an image sensor disposed onthe substrate, wherein the front body assembly may include a firstsurface facing the rear body, a first protrusion and a second protrusionprotruded from the first surface and each spaced apart, and a ribconnecting the first protrusion and the second protrusion, and whereinthe first protrusion may be disposed at an inside of the secondprotrusion to allow being nearer to an optical axis than the secondprotrusion, and the first protrusion may be coupled with the substrate,and the second protrusion may be coupled with the rear body, and the ribmay be formed with a plural number, each spaced apart, and a pluralityof discrete spaces may be formed among the plurality of ribs.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body; a lens disposed on the front body; a rear body coupled tothe front body; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body and the rear body and including an image sensor formed at anarea corresponding to that of the lens; a second substrate spaced apartat the inner space from the first substrate, and electrically connectedto the first substrate; a connector coupled to the second substrate bypassing through the rear body; and a shield member coupled by the firstsubstrate and the second substrate, wherein the shield member mayinclude a body part coupled to the first substrate, an extension partextended from the body part, and a hole disposed on the extension part,and wherein at least a part of the second substrate may include aprotrusion disposed on the hole, the protrusion may include foursurfaces disposed on the hole to face the extension part, and at leastone surface on the four surfaces of the protrusion may be spaced apartfrom the extension part.

At least two surfaces of the four surfaces of the protrusion may bespaced apart from the extension part.

The protrusion may include a first protrusion disposed on a firstsurface of the second substrate, and a second protrusion disposed on asecond surface of the second substrate disposed opposite to the firstsurface, and the second substrate may further include a first groovedisposed on both sides of the first protrusion at an outer circumferenceof the second substrate, and a second groove disposed on both sides ofthe second protrusion at an outer circumference of the second substrate,and the extension part may include a first extension part disposed onthe first groove and a second extension part disposed on the secondgroove, and at least one of an inner surface of the first extension partand an inner surface of the second extension part may be spaced apartfrom the second substrate.

The camera module may further comprise a cover fixed to an inner surfaceof rear body, wherein the cover may include a bottom plate including ahole passed through by the connector, and a side plate extended from thebottom plate, and the bottom plate of the cover may include a pressingunit elastically support the connector.

The first substrate may include a third surface facing the secondsubstrate, and the shield member may include a protrusion coupled to thethird surface of the first substrate.

The shield member may further include a first slant part outwardlyslantly extended from the extension part, and a second slant partinwardly slantly extended from the first slant part.

The body part may be formed with four (4) pieces, each spaced apart, andmay further include four (4) connection parts connecting the four bodyparts.

The second substrate may include three protrusions, and the shieldmember may include three extension parts respectively coupled to thethree protrusions.

The extension part may be extended from four surfaces of the shieldmember, each of the three body parts out of the four body parts of theshield member may be disposed with an extension part, and the remainingbody part may be disposed with a cut-out part, and the cut-out part maybe more recessed than the fourth surface, and a groove may be disposedbetween the cut-out part and the fourth surface.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body assembly including a lens; a rear body coupled to the frontbody assembly; a first substrate including an image sensor disposed atan inner space between the front body assembly and the rear bodyassembly and spaced apart from the first substrate in the inner space; asecond substrate disposed in the inner space by being spaced apart fromthe first substrate and electrically connected to the first substrate; aconnector fixed to the second substrate by passing through the rearbody; and a shield member coupled to the first substrate and the secondsubstrate, wherein the shield member may include a body part coupled tothe first substrate, and a coupling part extended from the body part andcoupled to the second substrate, the second substrate may furtherinclude a first groove disposed on a first surface of the secondsubstrate, and a second groove disposed on a second surface of thesecond substrate, the coupling part may include a third surface facingthe second substrate, and a first coupling part disposed on the firstgroove, a fourth surface facing the second substrate and a secondcoupling part disposed on the second groove, and at least one of thethird surface of the first coupling part and the fourth surface of thesecond coupling part may be spaced apart from the second substrate.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body; a lens disposed on the front body; a rear body coupled tothe front body; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body and the rear body; an image sensor disposed on the firstsubstrate; a second substrate disposed at the inner space by beingspaced apart from the first substrate, and electrically connected to thefirst substrate; a connector coupled to the second substrate; and acover fixed to an inside of the rear body, wherein the cover may includea bottom plate including a hole disposed with the connector, a sideplate extended from the bottom plate, and a pressing unit disposed onthe bottom plate and elastically pressing the connector, and wherein theconnector may include a first surface facing an inner surface of thebottom plate of the cover and a second surface extended from the firstsurface and disposed on the hole, and the pressing unit may include afirst pressing unit pressing a first surface of connector and a secondpressing unit pressing a second surface of connector.

The first pressing unit and the second pressing unit may be integrallyformed with the bottom plate.

The pressing unit may include a first extension part inwardly slantlyextended from the bottom plate, and a first contact part extended fromthe first extension part to contact a first surface of the connector,and a second extension part slantly extended toward the hole from thefirst contact part.

The pressing unit may further include a second contact part extendedfrom the second extension part to contact a second surface of connector,and a third extension part slantly outwardly extended from the secondcontact part.

A distal end of the side plate may be overlapped with the firstsubstrate to a direction perpendicular to an optical axis of the lens.

The pressing unit may include four (4) pressing pieces, each spacedapart from the other, and the said four pressing pieces may beequidistantly disposed on a circumference of second surface ofconnector.

The pressing unit may include a plurality of pressing pieces, each spaceapart from the other, and a part of the plurality of pressing pieces maybe formed as a first pressing unit, and the remaining part of theplurality of pressing pieces may be formed as a second pressing part.

The camera module may further include a shield member coupled to thefirst substrate and the second substrate, and the shield member mayinclude a body part coupled to the first substrate, a coupling partextended from the body part and coupled to the second substrate, and thecoupling part may be contacted to the side plate of cover.

An external surface of cover and the connector may be grounded.

A camera module according to an exemplary embodiment may comprise: afront body assembly including a lens; a rear body coupled to the frontbody assembly; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between thefront body assembly and the rear body; a second substrate so disposed atthe inner space as to be spaced apart from the first substrate andelectrically connected to the first substrate; a connector fixed to therear body and the second substrate; and a cover fixed to inside of therear body, wherein the cover may include a bottom plate including a holedisposed with the connector, a side plate extended from the bottomplate, and a pressing unit disposed on the bottom plate and elasticallysupporting the connector, wherein the pressing unit may include a firstpressing part pressing the connector to a first direction, and a secondpressing part pressing the connector to a second direction differentfrom the first direction.

Advantageous Effects

The exemplary embodiment has an advantageous effect in that a rear bodyand a bracket of a camera module can be easily assembled to be conduciveto improvement of manufacturing yield.

The exemplary embodiment has an advantageous effect in that thephenomenon of foreign objects and moisture outside of camera modulebeing introduced into the camera module can be prevented.

The exemplary embodiment has an advantageous effect in that a supportstructure comprising a plurality of substrates is provided to therebycontribute to miniaturization of camera module.

The exemplary embodiment has an advantageous effect in that a reducedmanufacturing cost can be expected by performing shield ofelectromagnetic wave and fixture of connector through a cover ofrelatively simple structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a camera module viewed from a differentdirection of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a camera module according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of some elements of a cameramodule according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of a rearbody of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of some elements of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view and a partially enlarged view of someelements of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state of a process in whichsome elements of camera module are assembled according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of some elements of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a planar view of a shield member of a camera module accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating a state of a process in whicha shield member of a camera module is assembled according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of some elements of a shield member in acamera module, where FIG. 13(a) illustrates a configuration related to abar of a shield member according to an exemplary embodiment (firstexemplary embodiment), FIG. 13(b) illustrates a configuration related toa bar of a shield member according to a modification (second exemplaryembodiment), and FIG. 13(c) illustrates a state where a bar of a shieldmember is removed according to an exemplary embodiment (first exemplaryembodiment).

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 15 and 16 are cross-sectional perspective views of some elementsof a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of some elements of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a planar view in a manufacturing process of a shield memberaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a cover according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODE

Some exemplary embodiments of present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawings for convenience sake.All the exemplary embodiments hereinafter explained should be understoodto be merely exemplary in order to help understand the presentinvention, and the embodiments may, however, be embodied in manydifferent forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein.

In describing elements in the exemplary embodiments of the presentinvention, the terms, first, second, A, B (a), (b), etc., may be used.These terms may be used only to distinguish one element from anotherelement, and the nature, order or sequence is not restricted by theseterms.

When an element is referred to as being “accessed to”, “coupled to,” or“connected to,” another element, it should be appreciated that theelement may be directly accessed, connected or coupled to the otherelement, or intervening elements may be present therebetween.

Hereinafter, any one of “inner protrusion (132)”, “outer protrusion(133)”, “external wall protrusion (221)” and “fusion protrusion (222)”may be called a “first protrusion”, a remaining one may be called a“second protrusion”, another remaining one may be called a “thirdprotrusion” and the remaining one may be called a “fourth protrusion”.

Hereinafter, any one of a “rib (134)” and a “rib (225)” may be called a“first rib” and the remaining one may be called a “second rib”.

Hereinafter, any one of a “front substrate (310)” and a “rear substrate(320)” may be called a “first substrate” and the remaining one may becalled a “second substrate”.

Hereinafter, any one of a “guide groove (345 a)” and a “discrete groove(345 b)” may be called a “first groove” and the remaining one may becalled a “second groove”.

Hereinafter, configuration of a camera module according to an exemplaryembodiment will be described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspectiveview of a camera module viewed from a different direction of FIG. 1according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 isan exploded perspective view of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is an explodedperspective view of some elements of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a perspectiveview and a partially enlarged view of a rear body of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 isa perspective view of some elements of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 is a perspectiveview and a partially enlarged view of some elements of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 isa perspective view illustrating a state of a process in which someelements of camera module are assembled according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspectiveviews of some elements of a camera module according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, FIG. 11 is a planar view of ashield member of a camera module according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present invention, FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating astate of a process in which a shield member of a camera module isassembled according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,FIG. 13 is a perspective view of some elements of a shield member in acamera module, where FIG. 13(a) illustrates a configuration related to abar of a shield member according to an exemplary embodiment (firstexemplary embodiment), FIG. 13(b) illustrates a configuration related toa bar of a shield member according to a modification (second exemplaryembodiment), and FIG. 13(c) illustrates a state where a bar of a shieldmember is removed according to an exemplary embodiment (first exemplaryembodiment), FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a camera moduleaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 15and 16 are cross-sectional perspective views of some elements of acamera module according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention, FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a camera module according toan exemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 18 is aperspective view of some elements of a camera module according to anexemplary embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 19 is a planar viewin a manufacturing process of a shield member according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 20 is a perspective viewof a cover according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentinvention.

A camera module may be coupled to a vehicle. The camera module may beused for any one or more of a front camera of a vehicle, a side camera,a rear camera and a black box camera. The camera module may capture asubject and output the captured subject in an image to a display part(not shown).

The camera module may include a front body assembly (100). The frontbody assembly (100) may include a lens (110), a barrel (120) and a frontbody (130). The lens (110), the barrel (120) and the front body (130)may be integrally formed in the present exemplary embodiment. Throughthis configuration, the lens (110), the barrel (120) and the front body(130) may omit an additional sealing member supposedly disposed among alens (110), a barrel (120) and a front body (130) essentially requiredover a comparative example where the lens (110), the barrel (120) andthe front body (130) are not integrally formed. Alternatively, more thantwo elements of the lens (110), the barrel (120) and the front body(130) may be integrally formed.

The front body assembly (100) may include a lens (110). The front bodyassembly (100) may include a plurality of lenses (110). The lens (110)may be disposed on the barrel (120). The lens (110) may be accommodatedinto the barrel (120). The lens (110) may be formed in a plural number.The lens (110) may be aligned with an image sensor (330). That is, anoptical axis of lens (110) and an optical axis of image sensor (330) maybe matchingly aligned. The front body assembly (100) may include an IRfilter (Infrared Ray filter) disposed on a rear side of the lens (110).

The front body assembly (100) may include a barrel (120). The barrel(120) may be disposed on the front body assembly (130). The barrel (120)may accommodate the lens (110) therein. An inner circumferential surfaceof the barrel (120) may be formed with a shape and a size correspondingto those of an outer circumferential surface of the plurality of lenses(110).

The front body assembly (100) may include a front body (130). The frontbody (130) may be coupled by the barrel (120). The front body (130) maybe coupled with a rear body (200). The front body (130) may be coupledwith a front substrate (310). However, in light of the fact that thefront body (130) and the barrel (120) are integrally formed in thepresent exemplary embodiment, it may be explained that the frontsubstrate (310) is coupled with the barrel (120).

The front body (130) may include a body part (131). The body part (131)may be outwardly extended from an outer circumferential surface ofbarrel (120). The outer circumferential surface of body part (131) mayinclude a squared four-angled shape. However, corners on the outercircumferential surface of the body part (131) may be roundly formed.The body part (131) may include a rear surface (hereinafter referred toas “first surface”) facing the front substrate (310).

The front body (130) may include a first surface (rear surface) facingthe rear body (200), an inner protrusion protruded from the firstsurface and spaced apart from the first surface (132, hereinafterreferred to as first protrusion”) and an outer protrusion (133,hereinafter referred to as “second protrusion”).

The front body (130) may include an inner protrusion (132). The innerprotrusion (132) may be protruded from a first surface of the body part(131) of front body (130). The inner protrusion (132) may be disposedinside of the outer protrusion (133). The inner protrusion (132) may becoupled with the front substrate (310). A distance between a distal endof the inner protrusion (132) and a first surface of body part (131) maybe longer than a distance between a distal end of outer protrusion (133)and a first surface of the body part (131). That is, the innerprotrusion (132) may be more protruded than the outer protrusion (133).A distal surface of the inner protrusion (132) may be fixed to a thirdsurface (front surface)) of front substrate (310) by an adhesive. Thesize of a distal surface of inner protrusion (132) may be smaller thanthat of an outer circumference of the third surface (front surface) ofthe front substrate (310). In light of the fact that the adhesive (600)is disposed at an inner side from an outer circumference of frontsubstrate by being spaced apart in the present exemplary embodiment, thephenomenon of adhesive (600) being discharged to outside of the frontsubstrate (310) can be prevented. The inner protrusion (132) may beextended from the first surface of the body part (131) to allow having asingle closed curved shape at a cross-section thereof. The outercircumference of inner protrusion (132) may include a four-angled squareshape. However, corners of the outer circumference in the innerprotrusion (132) may be roundly formed.

The front body (130) may include an outer protrusion (133). The outerprotrusion (133) may be protruded from a first surface of the body part(131) of front body (130). The outer protrusion (133) may be disposedoutside of the inner protrusion (132). The outer protrusion (133) may becoupled with the rear body (200). The outer protrusion (133) may bespaced apart from an outer circumference of first surface of body part(131) at the front body (130). The outer protrusion (133) may bedisposed between the inner protrusion (132) and the outer circumferenceof body part (131). The outer protrusion (133) may be extended from thefirst surface of the body part (131) to allowing having a single closedcurved shape at a cross-section. The outer circumference of the outerprotrusion (133) may include a four-angled square shape. However,corners of the outer circumference of the outer protrusion (133) may beroundly formed.

The front body (130) in the present exemplary embodiment may include aplurality of ribs (134) to connect the inner protrusion (132) and theouter protrusion (133) between the inner protrusion (132) and the outerprotrusion (133) and to be mutually spaced apart. A plurality ofdiscrete space (135) may be formed among the plurality of ribs (134).The thus-described discrete structure of the plurality of ribs (134) maybe called a “weight-loss structure”. The discrete structure of theplurality of ribs (134) in the present exemplary embodiment can minimizethe phenomenon of heat generated from an ultrasonic fusion processbetween the front body (130) and the rear body (200) from beingtransmitted to an adhesive (600) that fixes the inner protrusion (132)of front body (130) to the front substrate (310).

The front body (130) may include a rib (134). The rib (134) may beextended from a first surface of body part (131) at the front body(130). The rib (134) may connect the inner protrusion (132) with theouter protrusion (133). The rib (134) can reinforce the strength of theinner protrusion (132) and the outer protrusion (133). The rib (134) maybe disposed in a plural number, each mutually spaced apart. At thistime, a plurality of discrete spaces (135) may be formed among theplurality of ribs (134). The rib (134) may be disposed, five (5) ribseach, on four surfaces of inner protrusion (132). The rib (134) may bespaced apart from corners of the inner protrusion (132).

The rib (134) may include an inclined slant surface (134 a). The rib(134) may include a slant surface (134 a) so that a distance between adistal end of the rib (134) and a first surface of body part (131) atthe inner protrusion (132) side can be longer than a distance between adistal end of rib (134) and a first surface of body part (131) at theouter protrusion (133) side.

The distal surface of rib (1340 in the present exemplary embodiment maybe slantly disposed relative to the inner protrusion (132) and the outerprotrusion (133). At this time, the slant may be such that the height ofthe rib (134) is decreased toward an outside. Through this structure,the slant surface (134 a) may guide the insertion of front body (130)when the front body (130) is inserted into an inner space of rear body(200). That is, even if the front body (130) is inserted into the rearbody (200) by being deviated from a normal position at a predeterminedgap, an external wall protrusion (221) of rear body (200) can be broughtinto contact with the slant surface (134 a) of rib (134) to allow thefront body (130) to find a normal proper position at the time ofinsertion. It should be apparent that insertion is made in such a mannerthat the rear body (200) receives the front body (130), and at thistime, the same explanation can be applied thereto.

The front body (130) may include a discrete space (135). The discretespace (135) may be disposed among the plurality of ribs (134). Thediscrete space may prevent the phenomenon in which heat generated fromthe outer protrusion (133) reaches the adhesive (600) disposed inside ofthe inner protrusion (132) through the discrete space (135) at the timeof ultrasonic coupling (fusion).

The camera module may include a rear body (200). The rear body (200) maybe coupled with the front body (130). The rear body (200) may form aspace there inside through the coupling with the front body (130).

The front body (130) and the rear body (200) in the present exemplaryembodiment may be coupled by allowing the outer protrusion (133) and afusion protrusion (222) to be fused. The outer protrusion (133) of frontbody (130) and the fusion protrusion (222) of rear body (200) may beintegrated by the ultrasonic fusion. At this time, the ultrasonic fusionbetween the rear body (200) and the front body (130) may mean a processin which the rear body (200) and the front body (130) are fused andintegrated at a contact area while the front body is pressed andvibrated at the same time while the rear body (200) is fixed. At thistime, the fusion protrusion (222) of rear body (200) and an outerprotrusion (133) of front body (130) may be integrated by fusion throughgeneration of high temperature. In a modification, the front body (130)may be fixed and the rear body (200) is pressed and simultaneouslyvibrated at the time of ultrasonic fusion. The ultrasonic fusion in thepresent exemplary embodiment may be called a “ultrasonic fusion”, a“pressure/vibration fusion” and the like.

The rear body (200) may include a bottom part (210) spaced apart fromthe front body (130), and a side part (220) extended from the bottompart (210) toward the front body (130). The rear body (200) may includea bottom part (210). The bottom part (210) may be spaced apart from thefront body (130). The bottom part (210) may be so disposed as to beparallel with the front body (130). The bottom part (210) may take afour-angled plate shape. However, corners of the bottom part (210) maybe roundly formed. The bottom part (210) may be disposed with a holethrough which the connector (350) can pass.

The rear body (200) may include a side part (220). The side part (220)may be extended from the bottom part (210). The side part (220) mayencompass a substrate assembly (300) disposed there inside and a cover(400). The side part (220) may be extended from an outer circumferenceor an edge of bottom part (210). The side part (220) may be disposed inthe number of four (4). The said four pieces of side parts (220) mayform a 90° with respective other adjacent side parts. The two side parts(220) out of four side parts (220) may be disposed with a protrusion(224) and a rib (225). A distal end (front end) of the side part (220)may be coupled with the front body (130).

The side part (220) of rear body (200) may include a front surface(hereinafter referred to as “second surface”) facing the front body(130), an external wall protrusion (221) protruded from the secondsurface and disposed at a position corresponding to an area between theouter protrusion (133) and an outer circumference of the first surfaceof front body (130), and a fusion protrusion (222) slantly connecting aninner surface of external wall protrusion (221) and the second surface.

The side part (220) may include the external wall protrusion (221,hereinafter referred to as “third protrusion”). The external wallprotrusion (221) may form an outer circumference of side part (220). Theexternal wall protrusion (221) may be formed by allowing an outercircumference of side part (220) to be extended as it is. A frontsurface of the external wall protrusion (221) may face a rear surface offront body (130). A front surface of external wall protrusion (221) anda rear surface of body part (131) at the front body (130) may be coupledtherebetween.

The side part (220) may include a fusion protrusion (222, hereinafterreferred to as “fourth protrusion”). The fusion protrusion (222) mayslantly connect a front surface (second surface) of side part (220) andan inner surface of the external wall protrusion (221). The slantsurface of fusion protrusion (222) may be formed at a 135° with a frontsurface of side part (220). The slant surface of fusion protrusion (222)may be formed at 135° with an inner surface of external wall protrusion(221). The fusion protrusion (222) may be protruded from a front surfaceof side part (220). The fusion protrusion (222) and the outer protrusion(133) of front body (130) may be overlapped to a horizontal direction(optical axis direction). The fusion protrusion (222) and the outerprotrusion (133) may be fused and integrated by pressure/vibration. Thethus-mentioned integrated coupling in the present exemplary embodimentcan omit an additional sealing member required between the front body(130) and the rear body (200).

The side part (220) may include a groove (223). The rear body (200) mayinclude a groove (223) disposed at an outer circumferential surface ofexternal wall protrusion (221) and extended to a distal end of theexternal wall protrusion (221). It can be ascertained through the groove(223) according to the present exemplary embodiment that fusion has beenproperly implemented between the front body (130) and the rear body(200).

The rear body (200) may include a lug (224) disposed on an outer lateralsurface. The side part (220) may include a lug (224). The lug (224) maybe hitched by a hook (521) of bracket (500). The lug (224) may be formedwith a slant surface at a surface facing a rear side. Through thisconfiguration, when a pressure is applied to the bracket (500) relativeto the rear body (200), the hook (521) rides on the slant surface to behitched by the lug (224). The lug (224) may be disposed in a totalnumber of four (4), two lugs each on one side part (220) of the rearbody (200), that is, disposed on two side parts (220). Although thepresent embodiment has explained that the side part (220) is disposedwith a lug (224, the lug hereinafter may be interchangeablyused/interpreted as “protrusion”), and the bracket (500) is disposedwith a hook (521), a modification may explain that a hook may bedisposed on the side part (220), and the lug may be disposed on thebracket (500).

The lug (224) in the present exemplary embodiment may include a firstlug and a second lug mutually spaced apart on any one surface of theexternal surface (second surface) of rear body (200). At this time, thehook (521) may include a first hook hitched by the first lug and asecond hook hitched by the second lug.

The lug (224) may include a sixth surface (front surface) hitched by thehook (521) and a seventh surface (rear surface, slant surface)connecting the sixth surface and the second surface (external surface)of rear body (200). At this time, the seventh surface of the lug (224)may slantly connect the sixth surface of lug (224) and the secondsurface of rear body (200). The seventh surface of lug (224) may form anacute angle with the sixth surface of lug (224), and may form an obtuseangle with the second surface of rear body (200). Through thisconfiguration, it may be easy for the hook (521) to ride over theseventh surface of lug (224), but conversely, it may be difficult forthe hook (521) to be disengaged from the lug (224).

The rear body (200) may include a rib (225) disposed on an externalsurface (second surface) between the first hook and the second hook. Atthis time, a width of the rib (225) may correspond to a discretedistance between the first hook and the second hook. Through thisconfiguration, the rib (225) may guide the assembly while the bracket(500) is inserted into the rear body (200). The rib (225) may bedisposed between two hooks (521) of bracket (500). The rib (225) may bedisposed between two lugs (224).

The rear body (200) may include a connector extraction part (230). Theconnector extraction part (230) may include a hole. The hole may allowthe connector (350) to pass therethrough. The connector extraction part(230) may accommodate therein at least a part of the connector (350). Adiameter of at least a part of inner circumference of the connectorextraction part (230) may correspond to a diameter of the connector(350). Through this configuration, the connector extraction part (230)can grasp/fix the connector (350).

The camera module may include a substrate assembly (300). The substrateassembly (300) may be accommodated into the cover (400). The substrateassembly (300) may be disposed at an inner space formed by the rear body(200) and the front body (130). The substrate assembly (300) may befixed to the front body (130) by an adhesive (600).

The substrate assembly (300) may include a front substrate (310,hereinafter referred to as “first substrate”). The front substrate (310)may be disposed at an inner space formed by the front body (130) and therear body (200). The front substrate (310) may include a front surface(hereinafter referred to as “third surface”) facing the front body(130). The front substrate (310) may be disposed with an image sensor(330). At this time, the front substrate (310) may be called a “sensorsubstrate”. The front substrate (310) may be a PCB (Printed CircuitBoard). The front substrate (310) may be a Rigid PCB. The frontsubstrate (310) may be electrically connected to a rear substrate (320).The front substrate (310) may include a third surface (rear surface)facing the rear substrate (320). At this time, a shield member (340) mayinclude a lug (342) coupled with the third surface of front substrate(310).

The substrate assembly (300) may include a connection part (315). Theconnection part (315) may connect the front substrate (310) and the rearsubstrate (320). The connection part (315) may electrically connect thefront substrate (310) and the rear substrate (320). The connection part(315) may be an FPCB (Flexible Printed Circuit Board). The connectionpart (315) may be bent. The connection part (315) may have elasticity.

The substrate assembly (300) may include a rear substrate (320,hereinafter referred to as “second substrate”). The rear substrate (320)may supply an electric power to the front substrate (310). The rearsubstrate (320) may be called a “power PCB”. The rear substrate (320)may be disposed in parallel with the front substrate (310). The rearsubstrate (320) may be spaced apart from the front substrate (310). Therear substrate (320) may be electrically connected to the connector(350).

The rear substrate (320) may include a lug (321). The lug (321) may bedisposed on an outer circumference of rear substrate (320). At least apart of the lug (321) may be disposed on a hole (343 b) of shield member(340). The lug (321) may include four surfaces disposed on the hole (343b) to face the extension part (343 a). At this time, the said foursurfaces of lug (321) may include a front surface facing a front side, arear surface disposed at an opposite side of the front surface, and twoside surfaces extending the rear surface and the front surface. At leastone surface in the four surfaces of lug (321) in the present exemplaryembodiment may be spaced apart from the extension part (343 a).Furthermore, at least two surfaces in the four surfaces of lug (321) maybe spaced apart from the extension part (343 a). Alternatively, at leastthree surfaces in the four surfaces of lug (321) may be spaced apartfrom the extension part (343 a). That is, a discrete space may be formedbetween the lug (321) and the extension part (343 a) in the presentexemplary embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 7, a discrete space to an xaxis direction and a discrete space to a z axis direction may bedisposed between the lug (321) and the extension part (343 a) in thepresent exemplary embodiment.

The lug (321) may include a first lug disposed on a first surface(external surface) of the rear substrate (320), and a second lugdisposed on a second surface (external surface) of the rear substrate(320) disposed on an opposite side of the first surface. The rearsubstrate (320) may include a first groove disposed on two sides offirst lug at an outer circumference of rear substrate (320), and asecond groove disposed on two sides of second lug at an outercircumference of rear substrate (320). The rear substrate (320) mayinclude a first groove disposed on a first surface (external surface) ofthe rear substrate (320), and a second groove disposed on second surface(external surface) of rear substrate (320) opposite to the firstsurface. At this time, the extension part (343 a) may include a firstextension part disposed on the first groove and a second extension partdisposed on the second groove. At least one inner surface of an innersurface of the first extension part and an inner surface of the secondextension part in the present exemplary embodiment may be spaced apartfrom the rear substrate (320). That is, a discrete space to a y axisdirection (see FIG. 7) may be formed between the extension part (343 a)and the rear substrate (320) in the present exemplary embodiment.

The lug (321) of rear body (200) can be inserted into the hole (343 b)of the extension part (343 a), even though there is a large accumulatedtolerance between the front substrate (310) fixed to the front body(130) and the rear substrate (320) fixed to the rear body (200), by thediscrete spaces to x axis direction, y axis direction and/or z axisdirection between the rear substrate (320) and the extension part (343a) as explained above.

The rear substrate (320) may include three lugs (321). The lug (321) maybe disposed only three side surfaces of four side surfaces of rearsubstrate (320). One side surface of the four side surfaces of rearsubstrate (320) may not be disposed with a lug (321). At this time, theshield member (340) may include three extension parts (343 a)respectively coupled with the three lugs (321). The extension part (343a) may be extended to a fourth surface (rear surface) of body part(341). Each of the three body parts (341) of the four body parts (341)at the shield member (340) may be disposed with an extension part (343a), and the remaining body part (341) may be disposed with a cut-outpart. The cut-out part may be a portion formed by removing a bar (345).The cut-out part may be more recessed than the fourth surface. Asillustrated in FIG. 13(c), a discrete groove (345 b) may be disposedbetween the cut-out part and the fourth surface.

The substrate assembly (300) may include an image sensor (330). Theimage sensor (330) may be disposed on the front substrate (310). Theimage sensor (330) may be electrically connected to the front substrate(310). The image sensor (330) may be coupled to the front substrate(310) by way of SMT (Surface Mounting Technology). In another example,the image sensor (330) may be coupled to the front substrate (310) byway of flip chip technology. The image sensor (330) may be so disposedas to be matched to the lens (110) in terms of optical axis. That is, anoptical axis of image sensor (330) and an optical axis of lens (110) maybe aligned. The image sensor (330) may convert a light irradiated on aneffective image region of the image sensor (330) to an electric signal.The image sensor (330) may be any one of CCD (charge coupled device, MOS(metal oxide semi-conductor), CPD and CID.

The substrate assembly (300) may include a shield member (340). Theshield member (340) may fix the front substrate (310) and the rearsubstrate (320). The shield member (340) may be coupled to the frontsubstrate (310) and to the rear substrate (320). The shield member (340)may be so disposed as to allow the front substrate (310) and the rearsubstrate (320) to be spaced apart. The shield member (340) may bedirectly coupled to a rear surface of the front substrate (310). Therear substrate (320) and the shield member (340) may be coupled byallowing a lug of the rear substrate (320) to be inserted into a hole(343 b) of a coupling part (343) at the shield member (340). The shieldmember (340) may be formed with a metal. At this time, the shield member(340) may be called a “shield can”.

The shield member (340) in the present exemplary embodiment may beintegrally formed. The shield member (340) in the present exemplaryembodiment may be formed by allowing a whole-bodied plate material to bebent. The shield member (340) in the present exemplary embodiment may beformed by allowing four body parts (341) to be bent relative to fourconnection parts (344)(bridge), and by allowing a first slant part (343c) and a second slant part (343 d) to be bent. A bar (345) used when theshield member (340) and the front substrate (310) are coupled may beremoved after coupling between the shield member (340) and the frontsubstrate (310).

The coupling among the shield member (340), the front substrate (310)and the rear substrate (320) in the present exemplary embodiment may beimplemented by the following sequence.

First, the lug (342) of shield member (340) may be coupled to a rearsurface {a surface facing the rear substrate (320), a surface disposedon an opposite side of third surface facing the front body (130)} offront substrate (310). At this time, the lug (342) of shield member(340) may be coupled to a rear surface of front substrate (310) by wayof SMT (Surface Mounter Technology). At this time, a front surface{third surface facing the front body (130)} of front substrate (310) maybe in a state of the image sensor (330) being mounted. After the frontsubstrate (310) is mounted with the image sensor (330), the shieldmember (340) may be coupled to the front substrate (310), and the frontsubstrate (310) is first mounted with the shield member (340), and thenthe front substrate (310) may be mounted with the image sensor (330).

Successively, a front surface of front substrate (310) may be fixed bythe front body assembly (100) using an adhesive (600). At this time, analignment between the lens (110) and the image sensor (330) may beadjusted. Under this process, an AA (Active Alignment) may be conductedbetween the lens (110) and the image sensor (330). However, in amodification, the front substrate (310) may be coupled to the shieldmember (340) after the front substrate (310) and the front body assembly(100) are coupled.

Thereafter, the extension (315, which is an FPCB) extended from thefront substrate (310) is bent to allow the rear substrate (320) to bepushed into three holes (343 b) of shield member (340). At this time, arear surface of rear substrate (320) may be in a state of the connector(350) being coupled. It should be apparent that the connector (350) maybe simultaneously coupled in the subsequent process of the cover (400)being coupled.

The shield member (340) may include a body part (341). The body part(341) may be coupled to the front substrate (310). The body part (341)may be a metal plate. The body part (341) may be disposed in the numberof four (4). The body part (341) may be disposed in four pieces, eachmutually spaced apart. At this time, four pieces of body part (341) mayrespectively form a 90° with an adjacent body part (341). The body part(341) may be connected by the connection part (344). Three pieces ofbody part (341) of four pieces of body part (341) may be disposed with acoupling part (343) coupled by the rear substrate (320), and theremaining one piece of body part (341) may be disposed with a bar (345).

The shield member (340) may include a lug (342). The lug (342) may beprotruded from a front end of the body part (341). Each two pieces oflug (342) may be disposed on a single body part (341), each mutuallyspaced apart. That is, a total of eight (8) lugs (342) are disposed on atotal of four (4) pieces of body part (341). The shield member (340) mayinclude two lugs (342) for each body part (341) with a view toincreasing the disengagement strength between the shield member (340)and the front substrate (310) when the shield member (340) and the frontsubstrate (310) are coupled. At this time, the disengagement strengthmay mean SMD disengagement strength. Meantime, two lugs (342) disposedat each body part (341) may be mutually spaced apart. That is, a gap maybe formed between two lugs (342). When a straight type is applied whereno gap is formed between the lugs (342), there may be an influence ontensile force due to transformation caused by bend or processing of theshield member (340). Although the foregoing discussion has explained thelug (342) as a configuration separate from the body part (341), the lug(342) may be interpreted as one element of body part (341).

The shield member (340) may include a coupling part (343). The couplingpart (343) may be coupled with a rear substrate (320). The coupling part(343) may be extended from the body part (341). The coupling part (343)may be protruded from a rear end of the body part (341). The couplingpart (343) may be disposed in the number of three (3) pieces, and may berespectively disposed on three pieces of body part (341). That is, oneof the four pieces of body part (341) may not be disposed with thecoupling part (343). The three pieces of coupling part (343) may becoupled to three side surfaces of rear substrate (320). The couplingpart (343) may be brought into contact with a side plate (420) of cover(400). The coupling part (343) may be electrically connected to the sideplate (420) of cover (400).

The coupling part (343) may include a first coupling part including athird surface (inner lateral surface) facing the rear substrate (320)and disposed on a first groove, and a second coupling part including afourth surface (inner lateral surface) facing the rear substrate (320)and disposed on a second groove. At this time, at least one of the thirdsurface of first coupling part and the fourth surface of the secondcoupling part may be spaced apart from the rear substrate (320).

The coupling part (343) may include an extension part (343 a). Theextension part (343 a) may be extended from the body part (341). Theextension part (343 a) may be protruded from a rear end of the body part(341). The extension part (343 a) may be rearwardly protruded from apart of the body part (341). A width of extension part (343 a) may be40˜70% of a width of the body part (341). The extension part (343 a) maybe disposed with a hole (343 b).

The coupling part (343) may include a hole (343 b). The hole (343 b) maybe disposed on the extension part (343 a). The hole (343 b) may becoupled by the rear substrate (320). The hole (343 b) may be coupled bya lug of the rear substrate (320). The hole (343 b) may be greater thanthe lug of rear substrate (320). That is, a discrete space (gap) may beformed between the coupling part (343) and the rear substrate (320)disposed on the hole (343 b). The front substrate (310) and the shieldmember (340) in the present exemplary embodiment may be coupled to thefront body (130), and the rear substrate (320) and the connector (350)may be coupled to the cover (400) and the rear body (200). A discretespace between the shield member (340) and the rear substrate (320) inthe present exemplary embodiment may be formed to x axis, y axis and zaxis directions. Through this configuration, the rear substrate (320)may be fixed by the connector (350), and the connector (350) may befixed by the pressing unit (412) of cover (400), and even if there is amanufacturing tolerance on the shield member (340) and the rearsubstrate (320), the rear substrate (320) can be coupled to the shieldmember (340). As a comparative example, if the size of hole (343 b) ofshield member (340) is same as the size of lug of the rear substrate(320), the lug of rear substrate (320) may not be inserted into the hole(343 b) of shield member (340). This is because the rear substrate (320)is fixed to the rear body (200) and the shield member (340) is fixed tothe front body (130).

The coupling part (343) may include a first slant part (343 c). Thefirst slant part (343 c) may be outwardly and slantly extended from theextension part (343 a). The first slant part (343 c) may be outwardlybent relative to the extension part (343 a). The first slant part (343c) may be slantly extended from the extension part (343 a). The couplingpart (343) may include a second slant part (343 d). The second slantpart (343 d) may be inwardly and slantly extended from the first slantpart (343 c). The second slant part (343 d) may be inwardly bentrelative to the first slant part (343 c). Alternatively, at least a partof the second slant part (343 d) may be disposed in parallel with theextension part (343 a). It is easy to insert the rear substrate (320)into the hole (343 b) of coupling part (343) and it is also easy toremove the rear substrate (320) by the shape of the first slant part(343 c) and the second slant part (343 d) according to the presentexemplary embodiment. When the rear substrate (320) is pressed towardthe body part (341) of shield member (340), the lug of rear substrate(320) is inserted in the hole (343 b) by riding down the first slantpart (343 c). Furthermore, when the second slant part (343 d) is graspedand outwardly pulled, the lug of the rear substrate (320) may be easilyremoved from the hole (343 b).

The shield member (340) may include a connection part (344). The shieldmember (340) may include four connection parts (344) connecting fourpieces of body part (341). The connection part (344) may be disposed ateach corner of the shield member (340). The connection part (344) may beformed with a bridge shape in order to manufacturing processsimplication (shape realization using only bending) of shield member(340) and quality improvement. At this time, the connection part (344)may be called a “bridge”.

The shield member (340) may include a bar (345). The bar (345) may beused for grasping the shield member (340) when the front substrate (310)is coupled by the shield member (340). Thereafter, when the coupling ofshield member (340) to the front substrate (310) is completed, the bar(345) may be removed. The bar (345) may be formed by being bent from thebody part (341). The bar (345), as illustrated in the first exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 13(a), may be bent from the body part (341) to allowa rear surface (surface facing the rear substrate (320)) not to protrudeover a rear end of the body part (341). At this time, a discrete groove(345 b) may be disposed at the bar (345) and two sides of connectionpart of body part (341). Alternatively, the bar, as illustrated in thesecond exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13(b), may be so disposed as toallow a rear end to protrude over the rear end of the body part (341) asmuch as a thickness of bar (345). At this time, the discrete groove (345b) may be omitted. Meantime, the shape may look like the shape as shownin FIG. 13(c), after the bar (345) of the first exemplary embodiment isremoved. The rear end of the body part (341) where the bar (345) used tobe may be more recessed than the rear end of the body part (341).Meantime, albeit not being illustrated by a separate drawing, when thebar (345) according to the second exemplary embodiment is removed, arear end of the body part (341) may be extended for a predeterminedlevel at an area different from an area used to be formed with the bar(345). The shield member (340) may include a cut-out part that is formedas a result of removal of bar (345).

The shield member (340) may include a guide groove (345 a, hereinafterreferred to as “first groove”). The guide groove (345 a) may be disposedto facilitate the cutting of bar (345) after coupling of shield member(340) to the front substrate (310). The guide groove (345 a) may includea V-shaped cross-section.

The shield member (340) may include a discrete groove (345 b,hereinafter referred to as “second groove”). The discrete groove (345 b)may be formed on two sides of an area where the bar (345) and the bodypart (341) are connected in the first exemplary embodiment. The discretegroove (345 b) may be a U-shaped groove. A cut-out part {an area wherethe bar (345) is cut out} of body part (341) may be disposed between twodiscrete grooves (345 b). The discrete groove (345 b) may be omittedfrom the second exemplary embodiment.

The shield member (340) may include a removal part (346). Although theremoval part (346) may be existent in the manufacturing process asillustrated in FIG. 19, the removal part (346) may be an area that is tobe removed in the assembly process. The shield member (340) may includea groove (347) formed at two sides of an area where the removal part(346) and the connection part (344) are met. At this time, a width {seeFIG. 19(a)} of the groove (347) may be 0.27 mm. A depth {see FIG. 19(b)}of the groove (347) may be 0.05 mm. A curvature {see FIG. 19(c)} of thegroove (347) may be R0.20 mm.

The substrate assembly (300) may include a connector (350). Theconnector (350) may be coupled to the rear substrate (320). Theconnector (350) may be fixed to the rear substrate (320). The connector(350) may be electrically connected to the rear substrate (320). Theconnector (350) may be fixed to the cover (400). The connector (350) maybe fixed to the rear body (200). The connector (350) may be coupled tothe rear body (200). The connector (350) may pass through a hole (411)of cover (400) and a hole of the rear body (200). The connector (350)may be outwardly extracted through a connector extraction part (230) ofrear body (200). The connector (350) may be extended from the rearsubstrate (320) and may pass through the rear body (200).

The camera module may include a cover (400). The cover (400) may befixed to an inner surface of rear body (200). The cover (400) may bedisposed inside of the rear body (200). The cover (400) may be fixedinto the rear body (200). The cover (400) may be formed with a metal. Atthis time, the cover (400) may be called a “rear shield can”. The cover(400) may be formed by allowing a metal plate to be bent. The cover(400) may be grounded to the rear substrate (320). An external surfaceof cover (400) and the connector (350) may be grounded. The cover (400)may shield an EMI (electromagnetic interference) or electromagneticwave.

The cover (400) may include a bottom plate (410). The bottom plate (410)may be disposed on a bottom part (210) of rear body (200). The bottomplate (410) may include a hole (411). The hole (411) of bottom plate(410) may be passed through by the connector (350). The bottom plate(410) may include a hole (411) disposed with the connector (350).

The cover (400) may include a tension structure. The doubly-formedtension structure of cover (400) may press the connector (350). Thetension structure of cover (400) may push the connector (350) to acenter and may simultaneously downwardly push the connector (350).

The connector (350) may be fixed through the pressing unit (412, tensionstructure) of cover (400) in the present exemplary embodiment. At thistime, the hole (343 b) of coupling part (343) at the shield member (340)may be so formed as to provide a sufficient tolerance to a coupled areawith the rear substrate (320), such that even if there is generated anaccumulated tolerance between the rear substrate (320) and the shieldmember (340), the phenomenon of a concentricity of connector (350)relative to the rear substrate (320) being twisted can be prevented.

The cover (400) may include a pressing unit (412) disposed on the bottomplate (410) to elastically support the connector (350). The bottom plate(410) may include the pressing unit (412). The pressing unit (412) maybe interpreted as one element of bottom plate (410), or alternatively,the pressing unit (412) may be interpreted as an element separate fromthe bottom plate (410). The pressing unit (412) may press the connector(350). The pressing unit (412) may elastically press the connector(350). The pressing unit (412) may fix the connector (350). The pressingunit (412) may include a first pressing part (412 a). The first pressingpart (412 a) may support a rear side {a surface facing the bottom plate(410) of cover (400)} of connector (350). The first pressing part (412a) may press the connector (350) toward a front side (direction facingthe rear substrate (320)}. That is, the first pressing part (412 a) maypress the connector (350) toward the rear substrate (320). The pressingunit (412) may include a second pressing part (412 b). The secondpressing part (412 b) may support an outer circumferential surface ofconnector (350). The second pressing part (412 b) may press theconnector (350) toward a center of hole (411) of bottom plate (410). Thepressing unit (412) may include four pressing pieces, each mutuallyspaced apart. The said four pieces may be equidistantly disposed on acircumference of second surface (external lateral surface) of connector(350). Each of the said four pieces may be disposed at a 90° relative toan adjacent other pressing piece. Each of the four pressing pieces mayinclude a first pressing part (412 a) and a second pressing part (412b). In a modification, the pressing unit (412) may be formed with twopressing pieces. In another modification, the pressing unit (412) may beformed with eight (8) pressing pieces. In the modification, the pressingunit (412) may include a plurality of pressing pieces, and a part of theplurality of pressing pieces may be formed as a first pressing part (412a), and the remaining other plurality of pressing pieces may be formedas a second pressing part (412 b). That is, the first pressing part (412a) and the second pressing part (412 b) may be separately formed in themodification.

The pressing unit (412) may include a first pressing part (412 a)pressing a first surface (rear surface) of connector (350), and a secondpressing part pressing a second surface (external lateral surface) ofconnector (350). At this time, the connector (350) may include a firstsurface (rear surface) facing an inner surface of the bottom plate (410)of cover (400), and a second surface (external lateral surface) extendedfrom the first surface and disposed on the hole (411). The pressing unit(412) may include a first pressing part (412 a) pressing the connector(350) to a first direction (front side), and a second pressing part (412b) pressing the connector (350) to a second direction (inner side)different from the first direction. That is, the pressing unit (412) inthe present exemplary embodiment may press the connector (350) to atleast two or more directions. Through this configuration, the connector(350) can be securely fixed to a bottom plate (410) of cover (400).

The first pressing part (412 a) and the second pressing part (412 b) maybe integrally formed. That is, a part of the bottom plate (410) may becut out and bent to form the first pressing part (412 a) and the secondpressing part (412 b). An area cut out from the bottom plate (410) maybe initially bent to form the first pressing part (412 a), and theinitially bent area may be secondly bent to form the second pressingpart (412 b).

The pressing unit (412) may include a first extension part slantly andinwardly extended from the bottom plate (410), a first contact partextended from the first extension part to contact a first surface (rearsurface) of connector (350), and a second extension part slantlyextended from the first contact part toward the hole (411).Additionally, the pressing unit (412) may further include a secondcontact part extended from the second extension part to contact a secondsurface (external lateral surface) of connector (350), and a thirdextension part outwardly and slantly extended from the second contactpart.

The cover (400) may include a side plate (420). The side plate (420) maybe brought into contact with the shield member (340). An inner surfaceof side plate (420) may be brought into contact with a coupling part(343) of shield member (340). Through the said configuration, the shieldmember (340) and the cover (400) may be grounded. The side plate (420)of cover (400) and the coupling part (343) of shield member (340) may bebrought into contact at three points. The side plate (420) may beextended from the bottom plate (410). The side plate (420) may beextended from an outer circumference or an edge of bottom plate (410).The side plate (420) may include four side plates (420). The said fourside plates (420) may be correspondingly disposed at four side parts(220) of rear body (200). A front end/distal end of side plate (420) maybe overlapped with the front substrate (310) to a directionperpendicular to an optical axis of lens (110).

The camera module may include a bracket (500). The bracket (500) may beused for fixing the camera module to a vehicle. The bracket (500) may becoupled with the rear body (200). The bracket (500) may be fixed to avehicle and the like.

The bracket (500) in the present exemplary embodiment may be coupled toan outer surface of the rear body (200). At this time, the outer surfaceof rear body (200) may include a first surface (rear surface) disposedopposite to the front body (130), and a second surface (external lateralsurface) connecting the first surface and the front body (130).Furthermore, the outer surface of rear body (200) may include a thirdsurface (external lateral surface) disposed at an opposite side ofsecond surface. The outer surface of rear body (200) may include afourth surface (external lateral surface) and a fifth surface (externallateral surface) interposed between the second surface and the thirdsurface and mutually oppositely disposed. That is, the outer surface ofrear body (200) may include one rear surface and four external lateralsurfaces.

The bracket (500) may include a bottom part (510). The bottom part (510)may face a first surface (rear surface) of rear body (200). The bottompart (510) may be disposed at a position corresponding to that of thebottom part (210) of rear body (200). The bottom part (510) may includea hole that is passed through by the connector (350).

The bracket (500) may include a pressing part (511). The pressing part(511) may be disposed on the bottom part (510) to press a first surface(rear surface) of rear body (200) toward a front side. The pressing part(511) may support a rear surface of rear body (200). The bottom part(510) may include a pressing part (511). The pressing part (511) mayhave elasticity. At this time, the pressing part (511) may be called a“tension structure”. The pressing part (511) may be disposed at twopoints. The said two pressing parts (511) may be so extended from thebottom part (510) as to mutually form a 90°. The pressing part (511) mayinclude a first pressing part disposed toward a first direction, and asecond pressing part disposed toward a second direction different fromthe first direction. At this time, the first direction may beperpendicular to the second direction. The pressing part (511) may pressthe bottom part (210) of rear body (200) toward a front side {directiontoward the front body (130)}. Through this configuration, a hookcoupling between the lugs (224) and the hook (521) can be securelymaintained.

The pressing part (511) in the present exemplary embodiment may beintegrally formed with the bottom part (510). The pressing part (511)may include a first extension part extended from the bottom part (510)toward a rear surface (first surface) of rear body (200), a contact partextended from the first extension part to contact a rear surface of rearbody (200), and a second extension part extended from the contact parttoward a direction distancing from the rear surface of rear body (200).

The bracket (500) may include a side part (520). The side part (520) maybe disposed on a second surface (external lateral surface) of rear body(200). The side part (520) may be extended from an outer circumferenceor edge of the bottom part (510). The side part (520) may include fourside parts (520). At this time, two mutually opposite two side parts(520) may include a hook (521). At this time, the other side parts (520)may include a hole (522).

The side part (520) of bracket (500) may include a coupling part (523)respectively disposed on two external lateral surfaces (fourth surface,fifth surface) out of four external lateral surfaces of rear body (200)and including a hole (522). The coupling part (523) may be coupled to avehicle.

The bracket (500) may include a hook (521) disposed on the side part(520) to be hitched by the lug (224) of the rear body (200). The hook(521) may be extended from the bottom part (510). The side part (520)may include a hook (521). The hook (521) may be coupled with the lug(224) of rear body (200). The side part (520) of bracket (500) mayinclude two hooks (521) on each two surfaces. That is, a total of fourhooks (521) may be disposed. At this time, two hooks (521) may bedisposed opposite to the other two hooks (521). A rib (225) of rear body(200) may be interposed between two hooks (521). A horizontal(left/right) gap (room) may be adjusted and guided by the said two hooks(521) and the rib (225) at the time of assembly. The rear body (200) inthe present exemplary embodiment may include a first lug and a secondlug disposed on an external lateral surface of rear body (200), eachmutually and oppositely disposed. At this time, the hook (521) may behitched by the first lug and the second lug respectively. In otherwords, the hook (521) may include a first hook hitched by the first lugand a second hook hitched by the second lug.

The side part (520) may include a hole (522). The hole (522) may beformed to allow a fixing member (not shown) fixed to a vehicle to becoupled. For example, the hole (522) may be coupled by a screw. At thistime, the hole (522) may be called a “screw hole”. A total of four holes(522) may be disposed, two holes for a side part (520), and two holesfor oppositely disposed side part (520).

The camera module may include an adhesive (600). The adhesive (600) mayfix the front body assembly (100) and the front substrate (310). Theadhesive (600) may be disposed between an inner protrusion (132) offront body (130) and a front surface of front substrate (310). An activealignment between the lens (110) and the image sensor (330) can beimplemented in the present exemplary embodiment. To be more specific, anoptical axis alignment between the lens (110) and the image sensor (330)may be adjusted while the adhesive (600) is initially cured (hardened),and then the final curing of adhesive (600) may be processed. Theadhesive (600) may be cured by heat and/or UV.

It should be interpreted that the terms such as “includes”, “including”,“have”, “having”, “comprises” and/or “comprising” as used herein meanthat the relevant elements are embedded, unless otherwise described,such that the mentioned elements are not excluded but may be furtherincluded. Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical andscientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those definedin commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand the present invention, and will not be interpreted in an idealizedor overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. The foregoingvarious exemplary embodiments of the present invention and explanationsare intended only to be illustrative of the technical ideas of thepresent invention, and therefore, it should be appreciated by theskilled in the art that various modifications and amendments to theabove examples may be made without deviating from the scope ofprotection of the invention.

Thus, the exemplary embodiments disclosed by the present invention arenot to limit the technical ideas of the present invention but to explainthe present invention, and therefore, the technical ideas of presentinvention are not to be limited by the exemplary embodiments. The scopeof protection of the present invention should be interpreted by thefollowing claims and all technical ideas within the equivalent scopeshould be interpreted as being included in the scope of right of thepresent invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A camera module, comprising: a front body;a lens disposed on the front body; a rear body coupled to the frontbody; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between the frontbody and the rear body; an image sensor disposed on the first substrate;a second substrate spaced apart from the first substrate in the innerspace and electrically connected to the first substrate; a connectorcoupled to the second substrate; and a cover fixed in the rear body,wherein the cover comprises a bottom plate comprising a hole in whichthe connector is disposed, a side plate extending from the bottom plate,and a pressing unit disposed on the bottom plate to elastically supportthe connector, wherein the connector comprises a first surface facing aninner surface of the bottom plate of the cover, and a second surfaceextending from the first surface and disposed on the hole, wherein thepressing unit comprises a first pressing part pressing the first surfaceof the connector and a second pressing part pressing the second surfaceof the connector, wherein the first pressing part comprises a firstextension part inwardly slantly extending from the bottom plate and afirst contact part extending from the first extension part and contactedwith the first surface of the connector, wherein the second pressingpart comprises a second extension part slantly extending toward the holefrom the first contact part and a second contact part extending from thesecond extension part and contacted the second surface of the connector,and wherein the first surface of the connector is a rear surface of theconnector, and the second surface of the connector is an externallateral surface of the connector.
 2. The camera module of claim 1,wherein the front body comprises a first surface facing the rear body,and a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruded from the firstsurface and spaced apart from each other, wherein the first protrusionis disposed at an inner side of the second protrusion to allow beingnearer to an optical axis than the second protrusion, wherein the firstprotrusion is coupled with the first substrate and the second protrusionis coupled with the rear body, and wherein the front body furthercomprises a plurality of ribs connecting the first protrusion and thesecond protrusion between the first protrusion and the second protrusionand mutually spaced apart from the other.
 3. The camera module of claim1, further comprising a bracket coupled to an outer surface of the rearbody, wherein the outer surface of the rear body comprises a firstsurface disposed opposite the front body, and a second surfaceconnecting the first surface and the front body, wherein the rear bodycomprises a lug disposed on the second surface, and wherein the bracketcomprises a bottom part facing the first surface of the rear body, apressing part disposed on the bottom part to press the first surface ofthe rear body, a side part disposed on the second surface of the rearbody, and a hook disposed on the side part to be hitched by the lug. 4.The camera module of claim 1, comprising a shield member which the firstsubstrate and the second substrate are coupled, wherein the shieldmember comprises a body part coupled to the first substrate, anextension part extending from the body part, and a hole disposed on theextension part, wherein the second substrate comprises a lug which atleast a part thereof disposed on the hole, and wherein the lug comprisesfour surfaces disposed on the hole and facing the extension part, andwherein at least one surface of the four surfaces of the lug is spacedapart from the extension part.
 5. The camera module of claim 1, whereinthe pressing unit further comprises a third extension part outwardlyslantly extending from the second contact part.
 6. The camera module ofclaim 1, wherein the pressing unit comprises four pressing pieces eachmutually spaced apart, and wherein the four pressing piecesequidistantly disposed on a circumference of the second surface of theconnector.
 7. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the pressing unitcomprises a plurality of pressing pieces each mutually spaced apart, andwherein a part of the plurality of pressing pieces is formed as thefirst pressing part and the remaining part is formed as the secondpressing part.
 8. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the cover and anouter surface of the connector are grounded.
 9. The camera module ofclaim 1, wherein the first pressing part is disposed at a positionhigher than the bottom plate of the cover, and wherein the secondpressing part is disposed at a position lower than the bottom plate ofthe cover.
 10. The camera module of claim 1, wherein the pressing unitcomprises a first pressing piece and a second pressing piece disposedopposite the first pressing piece, and wherein a pressing direction ofthe first pressing piece of the pressing unit is opposite to a pressingdirection of the second pressing piece of the pressing unit.
 11. Thecamera module of claim 1, wherein the connector is fixed by the pressingunit.
 12. The camera module of claim 1, comprising a shield memberdisposed between the first substrate and the second substrate, whereinthe shield member comprises a body part and an extension part extendingfrom the body part of the shield member, wherein the extension partcomprises two extension parts disposed opposite each other, and whereinat least some of each of the two extension parts is in contact with aninner surface of the side plate of the cover.
 13. The camera module ofclaim 12, wherein the extension part of the shield member comprises ahole, wherein the second substrate comprises a protrusion formed at aposition corresponding to the hole of the shield member, wherein theprotrusion of the second substrate is disposed in the hole of theextension part of the shield member, and wherein the second substrate isgrounded by the shield member.
 14. A camera module, comprising: a bodycomprising a front body and a rear body coupled to the front body; alens disposed on the front body; a first substrate disposed in the body;a second substrate disposed below the first substrate and electricallyconnecting the first substrate; an image sensor disposed on the firstsubstrate; a cover disposed in the body, and comprising a bottom plateand a side plate extending from the bottom plate; a connector which atleast a portion is disposed in the body, wherein the bottom plate of thecover comprises a hole passed through the connector, a pressing unitinwardly extending from a portion of an inner surface of the hole,wherein the pressing unit comprises a first portion disposed at aposition higher than the bottom plate of the cover, and a second portionextending from the first portion and disposed at a position lower thanthe bottom plate of the cover, and wherein the first portion of thepressing unit pressed the connector in a first direction and the secondportion of the pressing unit pressed the connector in a second directionperpendicular to the first direction.
 15. The camera module of claim 14,wherein the pressing unit comprises a first pressing unit and a secondpressing unit disposed opposite the first pressing unit, and wherein apressing direction of a second portion of the first pressing unit isopposite to a pressing direction of a second portion of the secondpressing unit.
 16. The camera module of claim 15, wherein the connectoris fixed by the first and second pressing unit.
 17. The camera module ofclaim 14, comprising a shield member disposed between the firstsubstrate and the second substrate, wherein the shield member comprisesa body part and an extension part extending from the body part, whereinthe extension part comprises two extension parts disposed opposite eachother, and wherein at least some of each of the two extension parts isin contact with an inner surface of the side plate of the cover.
 18. Thecamera module of claim 17, wherein the extension part of the shieldmember comprises a hole, wherein the second substrate comprises a lugformed at a position corresponding to the hole of the shield member,wherein the lug of the second substrate is disposed in the hole of theextension part of the shield member, and wherein the second substrate isgrounded by the shield member.
 19. A camera module comprising: a frontbody assembly comprising a lens; a rear body coupled to the front bodyassembly; a first substrate disposed at an inner space between the frontbody assembly and the rear body assembly; a second substrate spacedapart from the first substrate in the inner space and electricallyconnected to the first substrate; a connector fixed to the rear body andthe second substrate; and a cover fixed to an inside of the rear body,wherein the cover comprises a bottom plate comprising a hole in whichthe connector is disposed, a side plate extending from the bottom plate,and a pressing unit disposed on the bottom plate to elastically supportthe connector, wherein the pressing unit comprises a first pressing partpressing the connector in a first direction and a second pressing partpressing the connector in a second direction perpendicular to the firstdirection.